My wife is a Realtor here and services the entire Eastern Idaho region.

Currently what kills the motivation to purchase STR on the coast in the eastern side is insurance cost.

Currently living in Hillsborough, NC and I have a few buy and hold properties in eastern NC.

I am working with an investor now who is finding them all over the eastern US.

Eastern time business hours only or 24/7?

I guess my dilemna is I want to have a decent place for my family while I am there, but also a place that is located in a town that wouldn't be totally devestated with large military downsizing......I don't mind a 30 minute commute, but much more than that makes it difficult......Spanaway (eastern side) seems nice with lots of good options, but without the military would anyone live there?  

If it's eastern shore or western Maryland, I'm not sure but in all of the DC and Baltimore area counties I think you need to go through an eviction if they have taken possession of the property. 

My 2019 goals are networking with people in my areas of interest (Hudson Valley/Central or Eastern CT, 60-70miles max of NYC) in hopes to purchase a multi-family to “house hack”.

Currently planning a 4 month trip to North Eastern US.

Flash forward, for the past 4+ years I've been working as a full time real estate agent for a top team in eastern Massachusetts (typically we will work within an hour of the city if it makes sense).